U-T letters: On Prop. D, skepticism abounds

Union-Tribune

San Diego Councilwoman Donna Frye claims that “the city has already done its part to reform the pension system for new hires” (“Sanders, Frye team up to pitch Proposition D,” Aug. 24). If this is really true, I ask Frye to share the details of the “reforms.” I would be willing to bet that there is an enormous difference between her idea of “reforms” and what the voters and taxpayers have in mind. I suspect the “reforms” that have been enacted are probably nothing but token changes, which is exactly what we can expect if the sales tax increase is approved.

Joe Pitrofsky Jr.

La Jolla

In January at his State of the City address, Mayor Jerry Sanders said: “When we put our 18-month budget in place, this City Council and I made a commitment to develop solutions to finish the job. ... Before that 18 months is over, I will have come back to you with a plan to resolve the city’s structural deficit.”

Flash forward six months: The mayor has adopted Frye’s plan – the one that would tax us more in exchange for little structural reform. Did anyone on the mayor’s staff think any of this through before deciding to cave in to union pressure and kick the real work to future mayors and future City Councils?

Drew Tidmore

San Diego

The ruling class believes the people of San Diego will vote to increase the sales tax so retired city workers can draw $12,000-a-month pensions and – in some cases – double dip spectacularly. I have only this to say: in your dreams.

Paul Evans

Valley Center

On Day 1 of the tax-’em-more campaign, Mayor Sanders, backed by labor leaders and council Democrats known to run from reform, stood outside a fire station and told San Diegans to send him more money. If we don’t, he said, the cuts he would be forced to make would be uglier. Shame on you, mayor. First this sales tax money could go anywhere, including to pay raises and overblown pensions. Second, you’re bluffing people who have experienced rounds of layoffs. How many jobs have been cut from the mayor’s staff the last two years?

Lizzy Blumberg

San Diego

I begrudge being asked to pay more, even if just a half-cent at a time, to allow non-safety related public sector employees to retire at an early age, at an average pension of nearly three times what I will recover through Social Security, assuming it still exists when I retire at age 65. Before we raise taxes yet again, let’s first ensure we have made every nonessential cut possible.

Michael S. Kalt

San Diego

We have been discussing this issue since before Jerry Sander’s first mayoral election – to no avail. The articles make it clear the purpose of the sales tax increase is to kick the can down the road for another five years. There is no room to negotiate on this issue. Nothing short of bankruptcy will give taxpayers a fair shake. It was the only way out for General Motors. As a taxpayer, I am willing to take my chances in bankruptcy court. Are the labor unions?

Kenneth Thygerson

La Jolla

San Diego politicians still have not changed their ways. I would like to pay the extra sales tax to mitigate city financial problems and restore services, but I still cannot trust that our local politicians will use this money wisely. Sanders started quite a spending spree once he secured the strong mayor vote, pushing a $185 million library and a $294 million new City Hall. What comes after the sales tax is approved – a new Chargers stadium? I don’t see much difference from boondoggles of the past.